Chapter 10

Primrose

I told myself before that I should choose who to comfort. You can't just open your arms to someone just to find yourself being drained mentally and emotionally. That's not how it works, and I've been there, so I better scold myself later.

"I'm sorry," she sobbed as soon as I released her. "And thank you."

Tumayo ako't inayos ang aking sarili, ganoon din ang ginawa niya habang pinipigilan ang mga luhang tumatakas pa rin sa kanyang mga mata. I really can't imagine myself suffering like how they suffered. I've seen and heard screams of pain of those trainees trying their best to debut. Now, I've witnessed how my uncle hurt one of our artists physically and verbally, I couldn't stop the bitterness in my heart.

I smiled, "Don't mention it. I hope you're okay now if not, it's also fine since you're just a human who experienced hell."

She heaved a deep sigh and finally, she lifted her head as her eyes locked into mine. Medyo mugto na ito't halatang pagod na. Malungkot na ngumit siya sa akin bago napatingin sa likuran ko.

"Loey?" She muttered.

"Hey, Sophie," he spoke behind me.

Oh, I forgot about him.

The girl then glanced back at me, confusion written all over her face.

"She's not a trainee, that's why you couldn't recognize her face," Loey said, reading what's on her mind. "But, she's someone special."

"Not that special though," I shrugged.

He chuckled, which I ignored. She glanced back and forth between me and Loey, then her eyes widened.

"Is she your-"

"My future wife," he answered, not letting her finish the question.

I turned around and glared at him. "What? Should I introduce you as my girlfriend instead?" he asked. "We both know that you're skipping that title already, Primrose."

Tiningnan ko lang siya nang masama bago ibinalik ang tingin kay Sophie. Hindi naman ako matatawag na girlfriend niya talaga, wala kaming label bukod sa magiging mag asawa kami.

We both have reasons to marry each other, and it's my only way to make everything right and protect them.

"I'm Primrose, by the way," I extended my right hand, which she accepted. "You're Sophie, right?" She nodded.

"The way you talk to her, she might think you're older than her," he paused and stared at me. "On the second thought, your height makes it obvious that you're younger."

"Shut it, Loey. Ang sarap talaga lagyan ng tape iyang bibig mo!" I hissed.

Again, he just chuckled, leaning forward and whispered, "At least the mood changed a bit. Feeling ko kasi nasasakal ka na kanina sa lungkot."

I pursed my lips. He's really the happy virus of the group. He's not a fan of gloomy atmosphere, kaya hangga't makakaya niya ay gagawa siya ng paraan para gumaan ang paligid.

"I'm Sophie." Her deep and whole voice made me stop from giving a death glare to Loey. He also excused himself when his phone rang, which I'm glad that someone called him.

She flinched when my hands suddenly touched her left cheek. Hindi pa rin nawala ang pagkapula nito na kitang-kita dahil sa puti niya. Bakit ba kasi karamihan sa mga celebrity ay ganito ang kutis? Hindi naman siya ganoon kaputi pero tama na para makita ang pamumula ng kanyang pisngi.

Mabilis ko naman binawi ang kamay ko, "Sorry."

Sorry that I wasn't able to defend you.

Sorry if you have a monster CEO.

I wanted to say those words, but decided not to. Sa ngayon ay mas maganda na kilala niya ako bilang karelasyon ni Loey, lalo na't hindi ko pa rin naman siya kayang tulungan dahil limitado pa ang kaya kong gawin.

She shook her head, "I should be the one to apologize. You witnessed what happened and how messed up I was earlier."

"Basta, don't let others look down on you. You should still know your worth, Sophie." I smiled. "Or should I call you Ate Sophie?"

"How old are you?"

"Twenty-three."

She nodded, "Sophie will do then. I'm just two years older than you but I still prefer for you to call me just by my name."

"Okay, Sophie." With that, her face lit up and flashed a genuine smile. Hope that makes her feel a little bit better. "You should place an ice-pack on your cheek. You still have an image to protect."

"I don't think so," she mumbled. "Hindi na rin naman na ganoon kaganda ang imahe ko sa karamihan, eh."

"Well, you can still prove them wrong. I know you can," I assured her.

She stared at me for a moment, when she was about to speak a hand patted me on my head.

"Sorry girls to interrupt," Loey stood beside me. "The boys' looking for us already, Prim. I think we should go now."

Tumango ako't nagpaalam kay Sophie. Hindi ko alam pero parang gumaan din ang loob ko sa kanya. I hope she's not like the others. Hinayaan lang namin siya na maiwan sa rooftop dahil mukhang kailangan niya pa rin magpahangin.

"Say, was this really how my uncle treated you guys?"

His silence made my heart ache. Tahimik lang siyang nagmamaneho habang hanggang ngayon ay hindi maalis sa isip ko ang pagsampal ng tito ko kay Sophie.

"There were people admiring us, but most of them think we're disgusting. We use our bodies, let others humiliate us, and treat us like trash in order for us to maintain our career. You should know that, Primrose. That's how this industry works," he said suddenly.

"And I will not treat you guys as such," I replied.

My father taught me how to treat others right. Alam kong marami ang humahanga sa Empire noong si dad pa ang may hawak nito, lalo na't iyon lang ang kompanyang handang depensahan ang kanilang artist at ang kompanyang pamilya ang turing sa isa't isa. Dad was not just my dad; he was also the father of those under Empire Entertainment.

Wala na siyang naging komento sa sinabi ko dahil sa labas pa lang ng gate ng bahay ay makikita na ang tatlong lalaki. The three were wearing a face mask, but I could tell that it's Baron, Nate and Matt.

"What the hell?" I laughed out loud.

Papasok pa lang ang kotse sa gate ay nakapila na rin pala ang iba't may mga hawak silang banner para kay Loey! Ang tatlo naman ay tumakbo't sumasabay sa amin habang kinakatok ang bintana gaya ng ginagawa ng mga reporter.

"Loey, nababalitaang ikakasal ka na raw!"

"Handa ka na bang matali?"

"Kasama ba ang SBG sa honeymoon niyo?"

"Maganda ba ang mapapangasawa mo?"

Mas lalo akong napatawa dahil kasama si Dredleigh sa mga nagtatanong at siya lang ang seryoso ang mukha sa kanila, habang ang iba ay natatawa rin sa mga pinaggagawa nila. Mga loko-loko talaga.

Nagsigawan sila nang lumabas ako sa sasakyan. Ganito ba talaga mga ito? Hindi na talaga ako magtataka kapag nasira ang pandinig ko sa kanila. Ang sarap nga pakinggan boses nila kapag kumakanta sila, pero 'yung ganito? Ewan ko na lang. Iba pala talaga kapag nararanasan mo sa buhay iyong dating napapanuod mo lang.

"Hey, you guys should go inside. Baka mamaya may makasilip na andito kayo sa ingay niyo. Mahal ko pa ang bahay ko para dumugin ng fans niyo."

Mabilis naman na umakbay sa akin si Baron, "Bibilhan ka ng bagong bahay ni Loey kapag nangyari 'yun." Aniya na may kindat pang kasama. Umiling na lang ako't tinulak siya papasok sa bahay habang nakasunod naman ang iba sa amin.

"Mabuti naman at naglinis talaga kayo," komento ko.

Sobrang ayos na ulit ng sala, kahit ang mga lobo ay maayos na nakatabi sa gilid at sofa.

"Hindi na kasi nakatiis si Kuya Jinmin sa kalat, kaya ayan naglinis," natatawang sagot ni Matt.

"Up for snacks?" I asked. We all gathered in the living room as Loey walked in with the food and drinks I bought on our way home. Naisip ko kasing kaunti lang ang niluto ni Dredleigh kanina at sa lakas ba naman kumain ng mga lalaking ito ay mabilis nilang naubos iyon.

"Sakto gutom na ako!" sabi ni Baron at mabilis inalis sa plastic ang mga pagkain. "Nice. Hindi talaga kami magugutom dito," dagdag niya nang pumasok si Nate dala ang dalawang kahon na pizza.

"I'll just take a nap," I excused myself. "But please, I would really appreciate it if you'll save me some pizza."

"Yes, boss! Loey will make sure of that," Baron shouted.

I shook my head and a tiny smile flashed on my face. This house really feels like home now, and I hope it will always be like this.

"Why are you crying?" Leigh panicked when he saw the tears on my face. "Wait, did something happen while I was asleep? Bakit lahat kayo ay umiiyak? Kahit si Dred at Kuya Jinmin!"

Loey handed me my handkerchief, which I used to wipe away my tears. He cleared his throat as he blinked. I thought this guy will be strong enough to fight the tears away, I forgot that he's easy to get swayed by the people surrounding him, plus the fact he's sitting beside a girl who keeps on crying.

"You told us to watch quietly just to find you there in a deep slumber. The movie's too dramatic that made us shed our precious tears," Kuya Eros hissed dramatically.

Para talaga siya mini- Terrence, pareho silang medyo madrama madalas. Ganoon ba talaga requirement para maging lider ng grupo?

We decided to watch a movie inside the movie room here on the second floor. Ito ang madalas ginagamit namin ng Grand Knights kapag gusto rin namin mag movie marathon kaya naman nakakapanibago na may iba ako kasama ngayon, ginagawa ang bagay na ginawa namin nila kuya Rence... At ayokong masananay ng ganito sa totoo lang.

"Akala ko nga hindi iiyak si Dred, eh," sabi ni Loey. "Nagulat na lang ako nagtakip na ng panyo tapos pagsilip ko ayun, lumuluha na pala."

"What do you want me to do? Laugh?"

Napailing naman ako nang nagsimula na ang paglalambing niya kay Dred. Sinusubukan niyang yumakap dito kaso agad siyang hinahampas nito ng unan.

"Last movie!" Matt cheered.

Kung kanina ay pinaiyak kami ng pinapanuod namin at tinulugan ni Leigh 'yung palabas, ngayon naman ay gising na gising siya't kasama sa mga tumatawa. After a dramatic movie, you should lighten up your mood by watching a comedy.

Hindi na nga ako natatawa sa movie, eh, sa kanila na mismo. Mali rin yata na katabi ko si Loey dahil panay din ang pagpalakpak niya sa katatawa. Nakita ko pa ngang namumula na nang kaunti ang kanyang palad!

"Isa pa?" tanong ni Matt.

"Tama na. twelve midnight na, oh!" awat ko sa kanya. "Mamaya makatulog pa ulit si Leigh, at inaantok na rin ata si Kuya Jinmin."

Ang hyper naman kasi ng mga ito't mukhang walang balak matulog, lalo na si Loey, Baron at Matt. Mauubos yata lakas ko sa kanila, eh. Mabuti na lang talaga pumayag na silang matulog, pero hula ko maglalaro pa 'yun sina Baron.

"Night, Primrose!"

"Night!"

Just like what I've predicted earlier, it seems like Baron and Loey were still up. Lumabas ako ng kwarto at rinig sa pinto ang boses nilang dalawa, lalo na si Baron na parang gigil sa laro dahil halos napapasigaw na siya.

Tahimik naman akong bumaba patungong kusina para kumuha ng isang basong tubig. Hindi ko alam bakit hindi ako makatulog. Kanina pa ako nakapikit pero para bang gising na gising ang kaluluwa ko, kaya naman na isip ko na lang na uminom ng tubig at tumitig lang sa kawalan habang nagpapaantok.

"Bakit gising ka pa?"

Muntikan ko ng maibuga ang tubig na iniinom ko dahil sa biglang pagsulpot ni Loey. May unting tumapon sa lamesa kaya naman agad kong kinuha ang tissue sa may counter at pinunasan ito. Ang hilig talaga nitong sumulpot-sulpot lang at manggulat!

"What the hell?" I hissed. "Baka bago mo pa akong maging asawa ay mas mauna akong mawala sa mundo. Aatakihin ako sa puso sa 'yo, eh!"

He chuckled. "Well, my goal is to make your heart beat faster whenever you see me," he winked. I rolled my eyes to hide my true emotion. Never did he know that he already succeeded with that. Ever since I first met him, my heart couldn't stop pounding, until now. But I can't just admit that, right? Besides, I just really admire him, that's it. Nothing more, nothing less.

Kumuha rin siya ng isang basong tubig bago naupo sa harap ko. Tumaas ang kila ko roon, "Hindi ka pa ba tataas?"

"Don't you want some company?" he asked, smiling widely. "Though if you really insist that you want to be alone-"

"You still won't leave, right?" I finished.

His smile grew wider with that. Isang beses kasi na sinabi kong gusto ko mapag-isa sa sala noon dahil sa inaaral ko, ayoko naman bumalik sa kwarto kasi nakakaantok, pero siya naman pinilit pa rin niyang samahan ako't sinabing hindi siya mag iingay. Hindi siya tumigil hanggang sa pumayag ako.

"So, are we going to just stare at each other?" I managed to ask. Tahimik lang kasi siyang nakatitig sa akin kaya hindi ko na alam kung saan ba titingin. Nakakailang kaya!

He shrugged, "Tell me something about yourself then."

I frowned, "What the hell, Loey?"

"Puro ka hell, mukha ka namang anghel," banat niya. Nang makita niya nalukot ang aking mukha roon ay natawa siya. "It's too cheesy, I know."

Pakiramdam ko nabuhay lalo ang buong sistema ko dahil sa kanya. Masama ata talagang mapalapit sa lalaking ito. Alam ko talaga hindi ito ganito kapag babae ang kasama, unless isa sa production team o stylist niya.

"Ewan ko sa 'yo. Kailangan mo na ata talagang matulog."

"Seryoso ako, ah!" pagpilit niya. "You know what? I think mas magandang magpaantok sa malapit sa pool. Why don't you go there first? Want some milk?"

For a moment, I hesitated. This is a bad idea, Prim, I thought. But then, if we wanted to convince the board and earn their trust, I should learn first how to trust others too, including Loey, right? Maybe I should loosen up a bit just like what Uncle Reylan told me, but I still need to leave some benefit of the doubt.

The corner of his lips curved as soon as I stood on my seat and gave a slight nod. I hurriedly walked outside. Umupo ako sa sahig at nilubog ang aking paa sa pool, habang naghihintay ay pinikit ko ang aking mga mata't dinama ang malamig na simoy ng hangin.

"Iisipin kong may shoot ng commercial dito."

I opened my eyes and glanced at him over my shoulder. He raised the two glasses of milk with a smirk on his face. Naalala kong sinabi niya sa isang interview na isa sa ideal girl niya ay 'yung laging nakangiti, at ganoon din naman ako noon pero ngayon ay hindi gaano.

"Thank you," I muttered as he handed me the milk.

Umupo siya sa aking tabi't nilubog din ang mga paa sa tubig habang nakatingin sa madilim na langit. Ilang minuto kaming tahimik lang, na para bang dinadama lang ang kapayapaan sa paligid.

"Can I ask you something?" He glanced at me. When I nodded, he returned his attention to the night sky and asked, "Bakit parang ilag ka sa ibang tao?"

I remained quiet for a moment. Was he really this observant? I didn't know he would notice that. I heaved a deep sigh, "Maybe because I've learned at such a young age that it's better to be alone than have any attachment with those who don't really care about you."

"People will show kindness just to gain something from you," I added. "It's hard to distinguish if they're sincere or not, so it's better to be cautious than letting them take advantage of you in the end."

"Mali ba ako?" tanong ko nang hindi siya nagsalita. "I'm open for correction or opinion, you know."

"You sure?" He asked, to which I answered with a nod, lifting my head to him and giving him a proud smile. He chuckled with that, "Okay fine!" he surrendered. "I'm just wondering, how you would know if you can trust or not that person. I mean, before you could even know him or her, you already doubted the person's intention."

"I don't know what made you think about those kinds of stuff, but I hope that someday, you'll find yourself trusting someone who is worth it. I still believe that there's still someone out there who has a sincere heart."

***

Sana kahit paano ay nakilala niyo pa lalo si Primrose as chapter na 'to!  Ready na rin kaya siya maging Mrs. Parker? :)

-Hime